10 x Dicentra spectabilis 'Valentine' Red Bleeding Heart hardy perennial seedsA remarkable cottage garden plant with exquisitely formed flowers, which bleed floral droplets from the centre of the heart shaped flowers. This variety grows quickly to form a robust clump of deep green foliage topped with arching flower stems in late Spring. When the foliage is emerging in Spring it has a tinge of pretty purple colour to it. The flower stems on this variety are deep red and the large puffy heart-shaped flowers are bright red with a white tip. They dangle romantically from the leafless stems over a period of many weeks. The plant remains attractive after it is finished blooming until it goes Summer dormant.
Requires little maintenance apart from being cut back to the ground once the leaves yellow at the peak of the Summer.
Height: 30 inches
Spread: 30 inches
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS: Dicentra is best sown in the Autumn at 18 - 22 degrees. At all other times of the year stratification in a moist medium is needed to simulate the seeds going through Winter. Sow the seeds in a well drained compost and cover lightly with vermiculite. Do not cover as the seeds need light to germinate. Place the container in a bed of water, ensuring moisture throughout the compost, then drain. Keep at 18 - 22 degrees for 2 - 4 weeks then move seeds to 4 degrees for 4 - 6 weeks (this can be in the fridge). Finally bring back to 5 - 12 degrees for germination. Seeds are slow to germinate, taking from 30 to 180 days. Prick out each seedling as it becomes large enough to handle and transplant in to pots or trays before gradually acclimatising to outside conditions.
Thanks for looking..